Blistering offense and stingy defense key Royals

Reading, PA – Reading Royals (29-20-3-0, 61 pts., 3rd North) goaltender Branden Komm became the first Reading netminder to record consecutive shutouts in his first two Royals games last weekend. The Royals have outscored opponents, 14-0, with Komm in cage and Reading accrued a 2-1-0-0 record this past week. The Royals play three games this week and complete a four-game home stand Thurs., Feb. 22 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Worcester with Olympic Night, $10 tickets and a postgame autograph session (Rieck’s Printing).

Komm is the fifth Reading netminder to record shutouts in consecutive games, joining Cody Rudkowsky (Nov. 2004), Riley Gill (2013 Playoffs), Mark Owuya (2013 Playoffs) and Adam Morrison (Dec. 2015). The Royals defeated Morrison Sunday and Komm had 25 saves. He has made his first 60 saves with the Royals and started his Reading career with a 35-save blanking over Cincinnati Friday. The fourth-year professional from Williamsville, NY played parts of three seasons with Idaho.

Komm is one of a number of Royals in a groove entering the final 20 games of the season. Here’s a quick list.
– Matt Willows is on a 13-game point streak (8g, 23 pts.) and has goals in seven straight games (8g). Both streaks represent career highs. He has had a point in every game since Jan. 14 vs. Manchester.
– Matt Wilkins has points in eight straight games and Chris McCarthy is on a professional-best seven-game points run.
– Nolan Zajac leads ECHL defenseman with 13 goals and scored three this weekend.
– Reading native Steven Swavely has points in three straight games.

The Royals are on the road Sat., Feb. 24 at Adirondack for a 7:00 p.m. puck drop and Sun., Feb. 25 at Manchester (3:00 p.m.). Royals Pregame coverage starts at 15 minutes before puck drop on RumbaReading.com, Rumba 1340 (iHeartRadio) and BCTV. Listen for a chance to win a gift card to Jimmy G’s Railroad House with the Trivia Question of the Night during 1st intermission.

Call 610-898-PUCK or visit royalshockey.com/tickets to start your experience at Santander Arena. Group tickets are $11 for groups of ten or more.

Upcoming Home Games$10 tickets and Olympic Night with a postgame autograph session Thurs., Feb 22 vs. WOR at 7:00 p.m.Get $10 tickets in any section (excludes glass seats) and celebrate the Olympics on a postgame photo and autograph session night with four players (Rieck’s Printing). Call 610-898-7825 for $10 tickets.

Next Big Night: Yannick Tifu Number Retirment, Ted DiBiase “Million Dollar Man” appearance, St. HatTrick’s Day on Sat., Mar. 17 vs. BRM at 7:00 p.m.Royals legend Yannick Tifu will have his #10 retired to the Diamond Credit Union Wall of Honor on Sat., Mar. 17 vs. the Brampton Beast at 7:00 p.m. Plus, meet WWE’s Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase and celebrate St. HatTrick’s Day with the Royals, presented by Met-Ed! The first 5,000 fans will receive a Yannick Tifu poster, courtesy of Rieck’s Printing. The Royals will wear special St. Patrick’s Day jerseys. Tifu captained Reading to the team’s first Kelly Cup in 2013 and played in 245 Royals games, third-most in team history.

Big 3 Storylines3) You fans were out in force
The Royals drew more than 5,000 fans at Santander Arena Saturday for Pink in the Rink Night and followed it up with 5,623 through the gates for Sunday’s game vs. Wheeling.Sunday’s contest featured PAW Patrol jerseys and Jerry “The King” Lawler Wrestling Night.

2) High-end talent
The additions of Alex Krushelnyski (4 pts. this weekend) and Steven Swavely (6 pts.) in the last few weeks have bolstered Reading’s lines. Swavely had three straight multi-point games, including his first short-handed goal of the season Friday, to boost to seven goals and 19 points in 25 games. Krushelnyski has ten multi-point games in 24 contests. He leads the Royals with a plus-17 rating and has tallied 27 points (13g).

About the Royals
The Royals have been owned by serial entrepreneur Jack Gulati since 2014 and are in their 17th ECHL season. Proudly affiliated with the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers and AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Reading plays at Santander Arena, located in downtown Reading, PA at 700 Penn Street. The Royals won the Kelly Cup in 2013, have made the playoffs in eight straight seasons and are four-time division champions.

Reading Royals Mobile App
Head to the App Store and Google Play to download the new Reading Royals app on your smartphone! Stay up-to-date with team news, receive notifications and purchase tickets for your next experience at Santander Arena.

Broadcast Coverage
All Royals game can be heard on Rumba 1340 AM and the iHeartRadio app by searching “Rumba 1340”. The pregame show starts 15 minutes before puck drop. Watch Royals games on ECHL.tv. Reading away games are shown locally on BCTV.